Fodor's Expert Review The Serena Beach Hotel and Spa
Shanzu Beach, , Kenya
This gorgeous resort at Shanzu Beach was built to resemble a 13th-century Arab town. A visit here will transport you to another time and place with its courtyards brimming with fountains, narrow twisty lanes and hand-carved balconies. Spacious rooms have an old Arab ambience with hand-carved wooden furniture and hand-woven rugs. Set in lush tropical gardens next to an improbably blue sea, you won't have to leave home to enjoy a full-on beach holiday. Food is excellent with lots of fresh fish, seafood, and vegetables flown in daily. There's plenty to do here, including day excursions to Shimba Hills National Park, the Arabuko Sokoke forest, the Kipepeo Butterfly Farm, or the haunted ruins of the ancient town of Gedi. There are all manner of water activities available, too, but a trip in a glass-bottomed boat to the nearby coral reef is a must.
PROS
- there's a free daily shuttle to Mombasa town
- the spa is good
- there's a free daily shuttle to Mombasa town
CONS
- the resort has a serious monkey problem
- Internet is not free
QUICK FACTS
HOTEL INFO
HOTEL DETAILS
Rate Includes: Some meals